As most of you know, the 2018 Winter NAMM Show will begin Thursday, January 25th at the Anaheim Convention Center, and run through Sunday, the 28th. This year, I've decided to create three threads: 1) an advance thread for speculation, wish lists, and early product announcements, or "NAMMticipation" as I like to call it, 2) an advance thread for planning: how to get passes, when and where to meet up with other forum members, etc., and 3) the traditional NAMM Reports thread for product announcements, videos, and reports from members on what and who they saw at the Convention Center.

This, of course, is the planning thread.

Please post any Winter NAMM 2018 plans you'd like to make or questions you have about passes or lodging here.

As for me, I'm hoping that there will be another Keyboard Corner forum gathering this year.

Dan, oversleeping wasn't it. I logged in the morning of, right at the correct time - as if buying concert tickets - and I got shut out of the Hilton too. It never even showed up in the list of available hotels. First time in 20+ years that I've gotten shut out of the Hilton. I can only imagine that maybe they decided to hold back a huge block of rooms for exhibitors? I am on the standby list, and if I get the Lanai Deck room that I requested will gladly offer it up for a KC hang. They did offer me a suite for like $650 a night, too rich for my blood. We'll see what happens.

I plan to attend the show Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning and then get the hell out of Dodge.

In a worse comes to worse scenario, we can always do a hang at my hotel. There's a decent bar that serves food...and at the end of the hallway, there's usually a piano that we've taken over before the year Carlo came over - that was awesome.

I do have an early Friday night dinner that I have to attend this year, but I can meet you guys later...or maybe we could do it on Thursday/Saturday evening...?

Thursday or Friday evening would be optimal for RedKey and me (we leave early Saturday). I remember the hang with Carlo at the hotel dB mentioned - that was a lot of fun. I think Mike Martin was generous with a few of us on the bar/food tab that night (among other nights), so BYOB scenarios seem to work out better to maximize efficiency

The name of the hotel mentioned was never revealed.... if that's in fact where the hang will be.

That's because this is a public internet forum.

Brother Redkey has worked out a pretty decent communication network at the show that's worked pretty well the past few years. If nothing else, anyone can swing by and see me at my booths (Amphion 15322, Cloud/elysia 15422) to check and see what the deal is.

FYI:I can still make Friday. However, I cannot get out of work that day, so the ONLY reason I would be driving down Friday night would be to hang out. Since it sounds we're on for our hangout, I will keep my hotel reservation.

A few days ago I received notification that I'm officially shut out of the Hilton, so I have no Lanai deck room to offer. I'm at the residence inn next door, but I have no idea how "hangable" those rooms are yet.

I've been out of the loop for awhile, but am I right in recalling that Buca Di Beppo became untenable because they started requiring a high deposit in advance?

That, and it became challenging for me to manage the number of attendees on top of being there to work.

Honestly, it was easier to put the dinner together when I was only working for one company (ADAM). Once I started doing the multiple company thing, my availability to organize it became diminished; plus, the RedKey lounge was kinda cooler, IMO.

Since vendors are lacking and attendance will be down, I suggest you all meet me for dinner in Carlsbad, NM. That's where I'll be for the foreseeable future. It's a real simple trip, just take a connecting flight through San Antonio to El Paso, then rent a car and drive for 4 hours. For your enjoyment, we have tumble weeds and cactus. Oh, and alcohol.

This sounds like it's gonna be a great hang. Looking forward to it. I'll be coming down on Friday night after work (no NAMM floor for me until Saturday), so I'll need you guys to fill me in on all the cool stuff. And there's going to be a few KC photographers there, so there's that. And it'll be great to see Geoff, of course!

Would be cool to be able to take over the baby grand in my hotel later in the evening. Will have to check out how doable that is when I check in on Tuesday.

Any word on how doable this plan is? if not, does anyone have a good Plan B?

The piano is here, but it's sitting towards the front of the hotel, locked up. I'll have to investigate.

I can't really come up with a plan B. Sorry to not be of more help, but I have a bunch of stuff going on at the show this year and it's a bit tough for me to think outside that at the moment. I'm sure I'll be game for whatever everybody wants to do though...

Originally Posted By: burningbusch

Bryce, you doing your thing at any particular booth(s) this year? Would love to connect with Geoff as well.

Yep. Amphion (15322) is back to back with Cloud and elysia (15422) in the new ACC North hall. I'l be there most of the show.Come check out the $10k subwoofer system. Bring a change of underwear, though - it goes down to 10Hz.

I just googled bars near the convention center and came across The Cave Sports bar - walking distance from the convention center. It looks small but probably easier to get a beer there than any place closer. Just a suggestion barring anything better.

I'm gigging on Friday, but as a helpful tip, Downtown Disney is walking distance from the convention center. The ESPN Sports Bar there is pretty nice, and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen has live music every day.

I have meetings scattered throughout the day, including up to 6pm and later! As of right now, its 50/50 if I could even make the hang this year, so if you don't hear from me, don't wait up.So just in case I don't make it... I hope the hang goes well.... and on the bright side, it'll only be 364 days until the next hang! Take pics!!!

Bryce, you doing your thing at any particular booth(s) this year? Would love to connect with Geoff as well.

Yep. Amphion (15322) is back to back with Cloud and elysia (15422) in the new ACC North hall. I'l be there most of the show.

Busch, I'd like to connect with you as well. Why don't weand other forum members who are at the showmeet at Dave's booths at 5:00 pm on Friday to visit and finalize the evening's plans?

Best,

Geoff

Geoff, unfortunately I'm leaving earlier in the day so won't be able to make the hang. I'll be there in the AM.

I'm staying at the Disney Hotel so I get over to Downtown Disney often. I checked on Zephonic's suggestion of ESPNZone and I think it could be a good option for the group.

They have three private rooms available. One seats up to seven (green room), another seats up to 12 (sky box) and the last one is more like 25+ people (didn't get the name of this one, sorry). These appear to be available tomorrow evening. If this is of interest, I can get someone the details. I think they assume most people are going to eat, not just drink. Anyhow, let me know.

Damn! I am gigging kinda close but kinda obnoxiously far away at the same time on Friday. This may belong in shameless plugs but I bring it up here as it's timely and topical. Doing a kinda rad fusion hit at this brewery in northern Anaheim. I'll post the details here just in case it ends up shaping up that the KC hang ends up going mobile. I guess the beer at this joint is great but as far as food goes there will only be a food truck. Could pick up food on the way though. Also I just heard the RSVPs are kinda over capacity already. But shoot maybe if anyone wants to come we can hang outside before or after and maybe squeeze whoever comes in.

I'm actually playing with the first band (Korey Kingston around 7 PM. This will be a kind of ska jazz hit), and then with the third band (The incredible drummer Tim 'Figg' Newton around 9:30 maybe?).

Anyway that's only if a smaller KC crew ends up getting a wanderlust to get a few miles away from the NAMM radius for part of an evening. If you guys end up hanging closer to NAMM AND if the hang is still raging past say 11 PM, hit me up on PM and I'll see if I can swing by after my hit.

Any of you guys at NAMM who are vintage Hammond/Leslie nuts - make sure you stop by the BookerLab booth and say "Hi" to Tom (big guy, shoulder-length white/blonde hair). He seems to be serious about bringing new products to market for us, and has the budget and manufacturing know-how to make it happen. I have been consulting on / testing the product he is showing this week.

Geoff, unfortunately I'm leaving earlier in the day so won't be able to make the hang. I'll be there in the AM.

I'm staying at the Disney Hotel so I get over to Downtown Disney often. I checked on Zephonic's suggestion of ESPNZone and I think it could be a good option for the group.

They have three private rooms available. One seats up to seven (green room), another seats up to 12 (sky box) and the last one is more like 25+ people (didn't get the name of this one, sorry). These appear to be available tomorrow evening. If this is of interest, I can get someone the details. I think they assume most people are going to eat, not just drink. Anyhow, let me know.

I'm sorry that you weren't able to join us, Busch. Thanks for the details about the ESPNZone. We wound up walking down to Clancy's, which worked well for our group of eight.

It was great to see Dave, Markyboard, Ken, Gustavo, and elsongs and to meet xKnuckles and MurMan. As always, it was a lot of fun!

It was great to see Dave, Markyboard, Ken, Gustavo, and elsongs and to meet xKnuckles and MurMan. As always, it was a lot of fun!

Best,

Geoff

+1, And right back at you Geoff - great getting to hang with you again after so many years. In addition to the fine forum members you mentioned I also had some good hang time on (and off) the floor with Eric, TonySounds, RedKey (Dan), Dave Ferris, Jim Alfredson, Marzzz (Marshall), Paolo and a few others.

Special shout out to Fran(Hipogrito?) from Kurzweil who I very much enjoyed chatting with and come to find out lives in the next town over from my parents on LI. I see many beers in our future .

Any of you guys at NAMM who are vintage Hammond/Leslie nuts - make sure you stop by the BookerLab booth and say "Hi" to Tom (big guy, shoulder-length white/blonde hair). He seems to be serious about bringing new products to market for us, and has the budget and manufacturing know-how to make it happen. I have been consulting on / testing the product he is showing this week.

Saw this too late Wes - bummer! I would appreciate any details you or others can provide.

Very happy to have been able to catch up with Markyboard, as well as several people at dBs booth(s)! And Dave, dont worry never a problem to help you out if I can! My NAMM time is usually somewhat limited, because I have obligations to the very significant other...

It was great to see Dave, Markyboard, Ken, Gustavo, and elsongs and to meet xKnuckles and MurMan. As always, it was a lot of fun!

Best,

Geoff

+1, And right back at you Geoff - great getting to hang with you again after so many years. In addition to the fine forum members you mentioned I also had some good hang time on (and off) the floor with Eric, TonySounds, RedKey (Dan), Dave Ferris, Jim Alfredson, Marzzz (Marshall), Paolo and a few others.

Special shout out to Fran(Hipogrito?) from Kurzweil who I very much enjoyed chatting with and come to find out lives in the next town over from my parents on LI. I see many beers in our future .

Sorry to have missed this! Tony, RedKey, and I went with some of Tony's friends for dinner at the newly opened Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, which ended up being a few hours of surreal waiting and eventually eating. We never connected with you guys, but it was great seeing many of you on the NAMM floor and hope to see you again next year!

I have some photos I'll try to get posted showing various parts of the show along with some forum friends.

This is not meant to be comprehensive. It's not even close. It's just what I saw while NAMMbulatilng, and nothing more, with my iPhone in tow. Photos of friends and a few bits of gear.

A pleasure to meet up with Murray, XKnuckles, Markyboard, Gus, Elsongs, that guy with the Dia de los Muertos stormtrooper shirt, Geoff, and Dave (note: I put this in order after realizing it was out of order here. The caption on the website was in order already).

Sorry to have missed the hang... this particular NAMM show was more business this year for me than pleasure... which is good! Glad some of you got to connect though. Definitely planning on doing the hang next year though. Actually, its less than a year at this point!

Is it too early to plan for 2019? LOL. I've never been to Winter NAMM, only Summer NAMM, but my original band is talking about attending next year's Winter NAMM and somebody jokingly (?) said we better book rooms now. Realistically, how early do travel arrangements need to be made?

Is it too early to plan for 2019? LOL. I've never been to Winter NAMM, only Summer NAMM, but my original band is talking about attending next year's Winter NAMM and somebody jokingly (?) said we better book rooms now. Realistically, how early do travel arrangements need to be made?

I've been able to get bookings almost any time for motels in the general vicinity, although I would advise getting it far in advance. I've already booked mine for next year, for instance. And if you want one really close to the Convention Center, I would get on that ASAP.

Thanks to everyone I met for making me feel so welcome at my first Namm. I wasIn the presence of KC veterans - and what a great and fun groupof guys they turned out to be. Special thanks to Markeyboard for, without once complaining - even when the task seemed impossible - both providing a lift and tracking down a single, well disguised car from the vast, featureless, circular labyrinth which is the Angel Stadium at night.

Thanks to everyone I met for making me feel so welcome at my first Namm. I wasIn the presence of KC veterans - and what a great and fun groupof guys they turned out to be. Special thanks to Markeyboard for, without once complaining - even when the task seemed impossible - both providing a lift and tracking down a single, well disguised car from the vast, featureless, circular labyrinth which is the Angel Stadium at night.

Thanks to everyone I met for making me feel so welcome at my first Namm. I wasIn the presence of KC veterans - and what a great and fun groupof guys they turned out to be. Special thanks to Markeyboard for, without once complaining - even when the task seemed impossible - both providing a lift and tracking down a single, well disguised car from the vast, featureless, circular labyrinth which is the Angel Stadium at night.

Thanks to everyone I met for making me feel so welcome at my first Namm. I wasIn the presence of KC veterans - and what a great and fun groupof guys they turned out to be. Special thanks to Markeyboard for, without once complaining - even when the task seemed impossible - both providing a lift and tracking down a single, well disguised car from the vast, featureless, circular labyrinth which is the Angel Stadium at night.

A great and unforgettable evening.

That Marky sure is a great guy.

Yes, a great guy and a great tour guide for the parking lot.

Best,

Geoff

The last time I was in that parking lot was when the Cowboys played the Rams there. I actually got busted by an undercover security guard for trying to sell an extra ticket below face value. With 30 or so years later, a rental car and an airtight alibi I was hoping maybe I'd run into him - literally. In hindsight maybe not such a good plan as I envision the detective questioning us individually...